Rocky Mount, N.C. – Students from Gates County High School’s Activate Futures program represented their community with distinction at the Youth STEAM Summit held Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Rocky Mount Event Center. The all-day event brought together high school students from across rural northeastern North Carolina to explore opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Math, fields known collectively as STEAM.
Activate Futures is a youth development and college readiness initiative for 11th and 12th graders, sponsored by Gates County Community Partnership (GCCP), a local non-profit committed to preparing young people for academic and professional success. Gates County’s delegation included 18 individuals from the local high school.
The Youth STEAM Summit was designed to connect students with industry professionals, educators, and innovators from across North Carolina. With technology rapidly transforming agriculture and forestry, the event emphasized the role of science, math, and engineering as the foundation for modern problem-solving and economic growth.
“Events like this open the minds of our students to possibilities they may have never considered,” said Ashley Hall, Director of Activate Futures. “Gates County is proud to lead the way in participation, showing that even a small community can have a big presence when it comes to preparing youth for the future.”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kenston Griffin, CEO of Dream Builder Communication, Inc., who energized the crowd with a talk on empowerment, self-discovery, and embracing one’s unique gifts, skills, and talents. He discussed the intersection of business, leadership, and personal growth, offering practical strategies for becoming leaders rather than followers.
Participants also engaged in a series of workshops, including:
Be Pro Be Proud – Addressed the skilled labor shortage and encouraged careers in trades and technical fields.
University of Mount Olive Mobile Lab – Demonstrated precision agriculture and soil sampling techniques.
College and Natural Resources Professional Engagement – Connected students with forestry industry representatives, agency professionals, and university staff to explore career and education pathways.
Digital Literacy – Taught online safety and privacy in the digital era.
The summit was made possible through sponsorships from NC Electric Cooperatives, Roanoke Cooperative, CoBank, Enviva, and NRCS, with program partners including the North Carolina Forest Service, USDA, UMC Agriculture, Black Family Land Trust, Center for Energy Education, and NC A&T State University Cooperative Extension.
“This experience has given me new ideas for my future and a better understanding of how science and technology connect to real careers,” said London Barber, one of Gates County’s Youth Ambassadors.
With their strong turnout and enthusiastic participation, Activate Futures students demonstrated that Gates County youth are ready to step forward as leaders in the next generation of North Carolina’s workforce.